CWE-59
AllowedImproper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
Abstraction: Base · Status: Draft
The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource.
2258 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-8WCV-4H46-66MG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-08-18 09:31 – Updated: 2025-08-18 09:31CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') vulnerability exists that could cause arbitrary data to be written to protected locations, potentially leading to escalation of privilege, arbitrary file corruption, exposure of application and system information or persistent denial of service when a low-privileged attacker tampers with the installation folder.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-5296"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-08-18T08:15:27Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access (\u0027Link Following\u0027) vulnerability exists that could cause \narbitrary data to be written to protected locations, potentially leading to escalation of privilege, arbitrary file \ncorruption, exposure of application and system information or persistent denial of service when a low-privileged \nattacker tampers with the installation folder.",
"id": "GHSA-8wcv-4h46-66mg",
"modified": "2025-08-18T09:31:44Z",
"published": "2025-08-18T09:31:44Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-5296"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://download.schneider-electric.com/files?p_Doc_Ref=SEVD-2025-224-03\u0026p_enDocType=Security+and+Safety+Notice\u0026p_File_Name=SEVD-2025-224-03.pdf"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-8WQ8-5C8G-WX7G
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-01 23:49 – Updated: 2022-05-01 23:49opensuse-updater in openSUSE 10.2 allows local users to access arbitrary files via a symlink attack.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-2389"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-06-06T22:32:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "opensuse-updater in openSUSE 10.2 allows local users to access arbitrary files via a symlink attack.",
"id": "GHSA-8wq8-5c8g-wx7g",
"modified": "2022-05-01T23:49:36Z",
"published": "2022-05-01T23:49:36Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-2389"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2008-06/msg00001.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/30581"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/29608"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-8WRQ-C77W-9J2F
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 05:53 – Updated: 2022-05-17 05:53noip2 in noip2 2.1.7 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/noip2 temporary file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-5369"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-12-08T23:30:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "noip2 in noip2 2.1.7 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/noip2 temporary file.",
"id": "GHSA-8wrq-c77w-9j2f",
"modified": "2022-05-17T05:53:18Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T05:53:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-5369"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2008/08/msg00283.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-8XGX-M7F9-XJ3Q
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-11-04 03:30 – Updated: 2025-12-17 21:30This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in visionOS 26.1, macOS Sonoma 14.8.2, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, watchOS 26.1, iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1, tvOS 26.1. An app may be able to access protected user data.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-43379"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-11-04T02:15:45Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "This issue was addressed with improved validation of symlinks. This issue is fixed in visionOS 26.1, macOS Sonoma 14.8.2, macOS Sequoia 15.7.2, watchOS 26.1, iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1, tvOS 26.1. An app may be able to access protected user data.",
"id": "GHSA-8xgx-m7f9-xj3q",
"modified": "2025-12-17T21:30:32Z",
"published": "2025-11-04T03:30:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-43379"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125632"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125634"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125635"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125636"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125637"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125638"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/125639"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-8XR7-6JGF-M2RQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-07-21 21:32 – Updated: 2026-07-30 21:31Data::NDArray::Shared versions before 0.02 for Perl create a world-readable mmap backing file and open it without O_EXCL or O_NOFOLLOW.
The segment is created in ndarray.h with open(path, O_RDWR|O_CREAT, 0666). The mode is 0666, so under the default umask 022 the file is created mode 0644 (world-readable). O_NOFOLLOW is absent, so a symlink planted at the path is followed, and O_EXCL is absent, so the open silently uses a pre-planted file instead of failing.
A "Shared" segment naturally lives in a shared directory such as /tmp or /dev/shm, where any local user can read the IPC payloads stored in the world-readable segment, and a pre-planted file or symlink at the path lets a local attacker win a pre-creation race or redirect the open.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-64616"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-07-21T20:17:04Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "Data::NDArray::Shared versions before 0.02 for Perl create a world-readable mmap backing file and open it without O_EXCL or O_NOFOLLOW.\n\nThe segment is created in ndarray.h with open(path, O_RDWR|O_CREAT, 0666). The mode is 0666, so under the default umask 022 the file is created mode 0644 (world-readable). O_NOFOLLOW is absent, so a symlink planted at the path is followed, and O_EXCL is absent, so the open silently uses a pre-planted file instead of failing.\n\nA \"Shared\" segment naturally lives in a shared directory such as /tmp or /dev/shm, where any local user can read the IPC payloads stored in the world-readable segment, and a pre-planted file or symlink at the path lets a local attacker win a pre-creation race or redirect the open.",
"id": "GHSA-8xr7-6jgf-m2rq",
"modified": "2026-07-30T21:31:25Z",
"published": "2026-07-21T21:32:41Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-64616"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://metacpan.org/release/EGOR/Data-NDArray-Shared-0.02/changes"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://metacpan.org/release/EGOR/Data-NDArray-Shared-0.02/diff/EGOR/Data-NDArray-Shared-0.01#ndarray.h"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-9247-4234-VWRQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-10 12:31 – Updated: 2026-03-31 12:31A local privilege escalation vulnerability in Bitdefender Total Security 27.0.46.231 allows low-privileged attackers to elevate privileges. The issue arises from bdservicehost.exe deleting files from a user-writable directory (C:\ProgramData\Atc\Feedback) without proper symbolic link validation, enabling arbitrary file deletion. This issue is chained with a file copy operation during network events and a filter driver bypass via DLL injection to achieve arbitrary file copy and code execution as elevated user.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-7073"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-10T10:16:02Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A local privilege escalation vulnerability in Bitdefender Total Security 27.0.46.231 allows low-privileged attackers to elevate privileges. The issue arises from bdservicehost.exe\u00a0deleting files from a user-writable directory (C:\\ProgramData\\Atc\\Feedback) without proper symbolic link validation, enabling arbitrary file deletion. This issue is chained with a file copy operation during network events and a filter driver bypass via DLL injection to achieve arbitrary file copy and code execution as elevated user.",
"id": "GHSA-9247-4234-vwrq",
"modified": "2026-03-31T12:31:34Z",
"published": "2025-12-10T12:31:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-7073"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.bitdefender.com/support/security-advisories/local-privilege-escalation-via-arbitrary-file-operation-in-bitdefender-atc-va-12590"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-927G-CFPC-W2J4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 02:41 – Updated: 2022-05-17 02:41The IPTables-Parse module before 1.6 for Perl allows local users to write to arbitrary files owned by the current user.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2015-8326"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-06-07T14:29:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "The IPTables-Parse module before 1.6 for Perl allows local users to write to arbitrary files owned by the current user.",
"id": "GHSA-927g-cfpc-w2j4",
"modified": "2022-05-17T02:41:25Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T02:41:25Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-8326"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/mtrmac/IPTables-Parse/commit/b400b976d81140f6971132e94eb7657b5b0a2b87"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1267962"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://metacpan.org/source/MRASH/IPTables-Parse-1.6/Changes"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/11/24/10"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-9285-VGJW-7XJF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-03 03:31 – Updated: 2024-05-03 03:31Parallels Desktop Updater Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Parallels Desktop. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target host system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the Updater service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to move arbitrary files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-21227.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-50226"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-05-03T03:16:11Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Parallels Desktop Updater Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Parallels Desktop. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target host system in order to exploit this vulnerability.\n\nThe specific flaw exists within the Updater service. By creating a symbolic link, an attacker can abuse the service to move arbitrary files. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-21227.",
"id": "GHSA-9285-vgjw-7xjf",
"modified": "2024-05-03T03:31:06Z",
"published": "2024-05-03T03:31:06Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-50226"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://kb.parallels.com/en/125013"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-1805"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-92PW-9WXR-JX34
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 05:53 – Updated: 2022-05-17 05:53test_parser.py in mayavi 1.5 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/err.log temporary file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-5151"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-11-18T16:00:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "test_parser.py in mayavi 1.5 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the /tmp/err.log temporary file.",
"id": "GHSA-92pw-9wxr-jx34",
"modified": "2022-05-17T05:53:37Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T05:53:37Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-5151"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2008/08/msg00347.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://uvw.ru/report.sid.txt"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-92XM-R55W-35WX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 05:53 – Updated: 2022-05-17 05:53mgt-helper in multi-gnome-terminal 1.6.2 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a (1) /tmp/.debug or (2) /tmp/.env temporary file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2008-5143"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-59"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2008-11-18T16:00:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "mgt-helper in multi-gnome-terminal 1.6.2 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a (1) /tmp/*.debug or (2) /tmp/*.env temporary file.",
"id": "GHSA-92xm-r55w-35wx",
"modified": "2022-05-17T05:53:18Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T05:53:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-5143"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2008/08/msg00285.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/32415"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
Mitigation MIT-48.1
Strategy: Separation of Privilege
- Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system.
- Denying access to a file can prevent an attacker from replacing that file with a link to a sensitive file. Ensure good compartmentalization in the system to provide protected areas that can be trusted.
CAPEC-132: Symlink Attack
An adversary positions a symbolic link in such a manner that the targeted user or application accesses the link's endpoint, assuming that it is accessing a file with the link's name.
CAPEC-17: Using Malicious Files
An attack of this type exploits a system's configuration that allows an adversary to either directly access an executable file, for example through shell access; or in a possible worst case allows an adversary to upload a file and then execute it. Web servers, ftp servers, and message oriented middleware systems which have many integration points are particularly vulnerable, because both the programmers and the administrators must be in synch regarding the interfaces and the correct privileges for each interface.
CAPEC-35: Leverage Executable Code in Non-Executable Files
An attack of this type exploits a system's trust in configuration and resource files. When the executable loads the resource (such as an image file or configuration file) the attacker has modified the file to either execute malicious code directly or manipulate the target process (e.g. application server) to execute based on the malicious configuration parameters. Since systems are increasingly interrelated mashing up resources from local and remote sources the possibility of this attack occurring is high.
CAPEC-76: Manipulating Web Input to File System Calls
An attacker manipulates inputs to the target software which the target software passes to file system calls in the OS. The goal is to gain access to, and perhaps modify, areas of the file system that the target software did not intend to be accessible.